Leadership Conversations-Recording

Video Transcription
Video Summary
In this CASE leadership conversation, leaders from Canada, the UK, and the US discussed the current climate in higher education and strategies to advance the sector amid political and financial challenges. Michelle Coatsmith, VP of Public Affairs at Universities Canada, noted a recent uptick in Canadian public trust toward universities, driven partly by a nationalistic reaction to instability in the US, though challenges around elitism, affordability, and international students remain. Vivian Stern, CEO of Universities UK, highlighted concerns over declining public confidence and the political challenges surrounding the value of degrees and immigration policies, emphasizing a need for long-term reputation campaigns grounded in listening and responding to public concerns. Brad Slavin, CASE VP of Strategic Partnership, addressed the US context, describing a polarized public opinion, a challenging federal policy environment, and the erosion of bipartisan support alongside demographic and financial pressures impacting institutions.<br /><br />All agreed on the importance of collective advocacy, alumni engagement, and philanthropy to diversify funding and build public understanding. Universities UK and Universities Canada have launched multi-year communications initiatives to rebuild trust and demonstrate universities’ societal value, while CASE promotes alumni as advocates in the US. The panel also discussed the critical but volatile role of international students, whose enrollment policies affect institutional finances and national economies differently across countries. Despite difficulties, all expressed hope grounded in the resilience and essential economic and social contributions of higher education globally, stressing sustained collaboration to address funding, reputational, and policy challenges.
Keywords
higher education
Canada
UK
US
public trust
universities
political challenges
financial challenges
international students
alumni engagement